Water belly?

[HopeWoo]

I have a rooster who has water belly. He is also wheezing, but still moving around just fine. I’ve read a little bit about it. Is this caused by an underlying illness, or is it something I’m feeding them? They get their chicken feed. I’ll also dump a couple scoops of mealworms for all of my chickens in the am. Throw some garden scraps in there and also a couple handfuls of scratch…. Can it be caused by this diet??

 

[Tonyroo]

I do similar feeding except I don't give them mealworms everyday. I never had water belly issues.

I think water belly is associated with tumor growth. I can't remember if that's correct.

@Eggcessive , @Wyorp Rock, can you help?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post any pictures of him and his lower belly? Pictures of poop would also be helpful. Ascites is usually more common in hens who have egg yolk peritonitis, salpingitis, cancer, or fatty liver disease. Have you confirmed water belly by draining yellow fluid from his belly with an 18 gauge needle and syringe? I have found ascites on a number of hens, usually after death with doing a necropsy. I would probably cut back on his diet with offering just a balanced chicken feed, and only a couple of mealworms or a small amount of cooked egg daily. Wetting some feed in a small bowl may make it more attractive.

 

[HopeWoo]

Can you post any pictures of him and his lower belly? Pictures of poop would also be helpful. Ascites is usually more common in hens who have egg yolk peritonitis, salpingitis, cancer, or fatty liver disease. Have you confirmed water belly by draining yellow fluid from his belly with an 18 gauge needle and syringe? I have found ascites on a number of hens, usually after death with doing a necropsy. I would probably cut back on his diet with offering just a balanced chicken feed, and only a couple of mealworms or a small amount of cooked egg daily. Wetting some feed in a small bowl may make it more attractive.

I will try and get some pictures today!! I haven’t drained anything. But he is struggling to breathe, and when I went to administer antibiotics in the breast muscle, I couldn’t even feel it. He is a giant water balloon!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a rooster who has water belly. He is also wheezing, but still moving around just fine.

I haven’t drained anything. But he is struggling to breathe, and when I went to administer antibiotics in the breast muscle, I couldn’t even feel it. He is a giant water balloon!

His abdomen below the vent is fluid filled?

What's his crop like?